Have you ever wanted to be a guest on someone else’s podcast? If you’ve ever considered being on a podcast, you’ve likely written a pitch to try and introduce yourself to the podcast host. Like with anything, there is definitely a right and wrong way to go about this.
In today’s episode, you’re going to hear a conversation I shared with my friend Wren Robbins on her podcast, Don’t Wing It. We talked on her podcast about the 10 mistakes to avoid when pitching a podcast. I know that a lot of you have asked me in the past about how to pitch a podcast, or how to get on other people’s podcasts, especially if you do not have a podcast yourself.
I think this conversation will really give you some insights on what not to do when pitching to be on a podcast, and in the midst of the conversation, we also give some hints and some tips on what to do instead.
Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Pitching a Podcast:
Number 1: Telling the host in an email or on social media that you need to sell more books
It’s okay to want to sell more books. And it’s okay to pitch yourself. If the goal is to get more exposure on your book, but you go in with that as the main objective, then you’re not going to go very far in the pitching.
Number 2: Not listening to the host’s podcast before pitching
You don’t have to listen to the full episode, but have a sense of what type of podcast you’re pitching to, and don’t go into the pitch blindly.
Number 3: Not interacting with the podcast host on social media
It’s really important to have some kind of communication with that podcaster, and social media is the easiest, cheapest, freest way to do it, because it’s there. Building an authentic relationship is a much more impactful way to approach a pitch than having no relationship with the podcast host before the pitching process begins.
Number 4: Telling them YOUR goals
If your podcast pitch and website are all about you, someone doesn’t have a reason to continue paying attention to what you’re offering. They need to know why it’s going to help them or their audience. The first cardinal rule about podcasting is that it’s not about you, and when you get that, then you’ve arrived for sure.
Number 5: Calling them and/or their podcast the wrong name
Proofread your emails before you send them so you don’t appear inauthentic and like you simply copy and pasted an email and forgot to swap out the details.
Number 6: Sending a Cold Email
The most often effective podcast pitching is going to be when there is some level of connection. There may be certain situations where sending a cold email is necessary, but overall, do not send out emails without connecting with the host beforehand.
If you are going to send a cold email, at least make sure it is very personalized, very friendly, very direct to that person and that podcast, and not a template that you’re copying and pasting.
*Sending a video with a cold pitch offers next-level connection!
Number 7: Sending a Mass Cold Email
If it’s generic and cold and mass and impersonal, that’s a no, go. When you’re sending that email, make sure that it’s not a copy and paste.
Number 8: Sending an email if the podcast is paused or discontinued
Go on to your podcast player and look and see when the most recent episode aired. Check the past couple of episodes out before you take the time to send the email because you don’t want to waste your own time either.
Number 9: Not highlighting the value you can bring to their audience
Remember, it’s not all about you, but don’t neglect to inform the podcast host of what specific value you can bring to their audience. That’s what podcasters care about. As podcasters, we care about you the listener, and we care about finding more people like you to listen to the podcast.
Number 10: Being aggressive in your follow-up
Keep in mind that the people you’re pitching to are real people, with real businesses, real lives, and lots of responsibilities. So the fact that they’re not replying to you should not be something you take personally. If you’re too aggressive, you’re gonna turn someone off to even replying at all.
Take at least a week before sending a second follow-up email, but send no more than 3 follow-up emails overall.
The Results-Code Workshop:
The Results Code Workshop will help you create the foundational asset you need to have in place before you transition out of 1:1 work. You’ll uncover your own unique Results Code (aka process or framework) and craft it into a strong piece of marketing that will make it easier to sell (and teach) your offers.
The live date for this workshop has already passed, but you can still get access to the workshop replay. It’s there for you at any time. You can go grab it and still get all the benefits out of watching that workshop and participating for yourself.
Quotes to Note:
“The people that have pitched me and that are already part of my community, people that engage with me, and that already follow me and respond to my emails and support the show, then they’re going to get my attention much easier than someone who has never ever had any interaction with me.” – Esther Littlefield
“With marketing, the reason people aren’t paying attention to you is partly because you’re making it all about you.” – Esther Littlefield
“The most often effective podcast pitching is going to be when there is some level of connection.” – Esther Littlefield
“It’s [podcast pitching] just mainly using common sense, and really making sure of those details.” – Wren Robbins
“I love when people follow-up in a persistent, but in a very gentle way.” – Wren Robbins
Connect with Wren:
Connect with Esther:
If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
